We had the good fortune of connecting with Linda Wilson and we’ve shared our conversation below.
Hi Linda, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
I’ve been in the Country Music industry since the late ’80’s as an artist manager, booking agent, public relations & promotions, publishing and just about every other role there is in the industry. In the early ’90’s I developed Texas Country Music Magazine to cover the music scene and was instrumental in developing the Texas Country Music revolution beginning in the 1990’s when when we published the highly acclaimed print version, and took the phrase Texas Country Music to a whole new dimension.
At that time and for years afterward, I had the desire to start an organization to bring together people and entities that made up “Texas Country Music”, including artists, singers, songwriters, media (radio, print, television), musicians, promoters, publicists, booking agents, managers, recording studios, producers & engineers, live music venues and everyone else that touches the industry.
After years of mindfully processing what I wanted TCMA to look like and planning projects to make it successful as an organization whose mission would be effective, I incorporated in 2011 and never in my wildest dreams did I imagine the growth and excitement TCMA has created over the years. Our very first Texas Country Music Awards was in 2017, and our 6th Annual Texas Country Music Awards will be held on November 13, 2022 once again at Billy Bob’s Texas in the Fort Worth Stockyards.
What should our readers know about your business?
I answered details about my business in the first question, but I’d like to mention that we developed the Texas Country Music Chart, which is the only Texas Based digitally monitoring airplay chart in Texas, and also Texas Country Music Magazine online.
What sets us apart from others is the fact that it’s Texas Country Music. We really didn’t have any challenges because Texas Country Music Association is unique and unduplicatable. It was not easy. It took a tremendous amount of thought, planning and prayer. Lessons I’ve learned along the way is to just do what we do and not be concerned at all about what other people are doing. Our brand is one-of-a-kind and I’m certain our story is as well.
If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Most definitely I’d take them to the Fort Worth Stockyards and we’d stay at Hotel Drover. The stockyards is so full of entertainment and activities, as well as fabulous restaurants. We’d go to Billy Bob’s Texas, do a tour at the Cowboy Channel, visit the museums that revolve around the cowboy/cowgirl/rodeo lifestyle and eat at H3. We’d visit some of the local bars and of course Mule Alley and Stockyards Station. and describe what Texas Country Music Weekend in the Stockyards and the Texas Country Music Awards will be like.
Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I’d like to dedicate my shoutout to my husband Richard Wilson, children Kris Young, Courtney Ritter and Cody Bowley, all and Monty Dawson. Also Bubba Cox, Doug Supernaw and the entire teams at Fort Worth Stockyards Heritage, Hotel Drover and Billy Bob’s Texas.
Website: https://www.texascountrymusicassociation.org
Instagram: @texascountrymusicassociation
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lindawilson-texascountrymusic/
Twitter: @texascma
Facebook: @texascountrymusicassociation, @texascountrymusicchart @texascountrymusicmagazine
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/texascountrymusicassociation
Other: https://www.etsy.com/shop/texascountrymusic www.texascountrymusicchart.com www.texascountrymusicmagazine.com
Image Credits
Photo & Graphics credit Courtney Ritter Marketing (www.courtneyrittermarketing.com)